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Fantasy Football: Two things top second-year receivers have in common

By Devin Lange

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball against CJ Henderson #24 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball against CJ Henderson #24 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The 2023 NFL Draft will be starting on April 27th. Incoming rookie wide receivers Zay Flowers, Puka Nacua, Tank Dell, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Charlie Jones, Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnson, and Jonathan Mingo have been tested, respectively.

As more scouting and breakdowns are performed, more experts have proclaimed this draft class isn’t as top-heavy or deep at the wide receiver position as years before. In this 2023 Mock Draft, five wide receivers are mocked in the 1st round, but only one in the top half of the draft. In the 2022 NFL Draft, six wide receivers were drafted in the 1st round, and five of those six were drafted in the top half of the draft. All things considered, second-year wide receivers are being prioritized over rookies in dynasty football leagues. Three of them have two things in common and as a result, they should be on your radar.

These three wide receivers are Garrett Wilson (Jets), Chris Olave (Saints), and Christian Watson (Packers). All three impressed as rookies in 2022. Garrett Wilson won AP 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Chris Olave and Christian Watson both had 3 games with over 100 receiving yards. In one game, Chris Olave had 147 yards, which was his season-long best performance. In a four-game stretch, Christian Watson had 27 targets, 15 receptions, 323 yards, and 7 touchdowns, which made him a top-10 fantasy football wide receiver in weeks 10-13. This is what they have in common as second-year wide receivers in 2023.

Fantasy Football: Commonalities among star second-year WRs

Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football: Garrett Wilson #17 of the New York Jets Wide Receivers scores a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

1. All 3 wide receivers are top-25 in 2023 WR Keeper and Dynasty rankings

According to FantasyPros, there are six second-year wide receivers ranked in the top-25 in fantasy football dynasty and keeper rankings. The rankings and respective wide receiver go as follows:

6. Garrett Wilson, Jets

11. Chris Olave, Saints

14. Drake London, Falcons

21. Christian Watson, Packers

22. Treylon Burks, Titans

23. Jameson Williams, Lions

While these rankings will fluctuate some between now and the start of the season, these players have only risen in rankings. Considering Wilson and Olave both finished as WR2s (top-24) in fantasy football as rookies, their becoming WR1s (top-12) in a couple of seasons is highly likely. Especially with WR1s such as Davante Adams (Raiders), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), and Stefon Diggs (Bills) are 29+ years old. Considering Watson finished as a WR3 (top-36) as a rookie, his becoming a WR1 in a couple of seasons is highly likely. Especially if he can continue to score two or three touchdowns in individual games.

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